Hamilton
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about Hamilton County: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the home price against local income is in the bottom 5% of American counties (1.3 years of income), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 7% of American counties ($576 a month). Within Illinois it ranks 11th of 102 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hamilton County, Illinois. 8,008 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -39).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $60,574 a year, higher than 50% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,483. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 50% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,998 a year.

Home

The median home costs $126K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $576 a month. Property tax is 1.35% of home value, roughly $1,352 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 52% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.2 years, longer than 66% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 6.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 74% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 47, warmer than 56% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 148 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.